Weather warms up, fishing picks up

Courtesy of Blue Ribbon Fishing Charters
Captain Gene St. Denis holds up two monster macks netted last month, an 18.8-pound and a 20-pound mackinaw caught an hour apart in front of Cave Rock in 40 feet of water. One was reeled in by son Eric St. Denis, 18. They were both caught on 10-inch lures called Monster TrophySticks in a Brown Trout Pattern.

Courtesy of Blue Ribbon Fishing Charters
Claire Cerrtuti, of Santa Cruz, holds up her monster mackinaw she reeled in by herself in 160 feet with a dodger and minnow while on a Blue Ribbon
Fishing Charter last month.

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Hello fellow anglers. Wow, what a few weeks it has been. We just got back from fishing Alpine and Mono county lakes and rivers. I tell you what, that is a lot of walking to get only a few fish. But any time spent on the bank of any water is well worth it. The catching is just a bonus.

Started off on the West Carson, flows are good and the water was stained green. I fished with Geary Ness from Minden, Nev. We fished for 4 hours and had one short distance release of a nice sized rainbow. I was throwing a black and gold Panther Martin spinner. I heard of a couple 3 pound rainbows caught on night crawlers in the Woodford Canyon. We ventured to Indian Creek where Geary caught a 2-pound rainbow on salmon peach power bait. Ventured to the east Carson where the river was pure chocolate milk.

Two days later Renee and I teamed up again with Geary Ness and Deanna Lucier and ventured to the Walker River out of Walker, Calif. We fished from Walker to the Sonora Pass. Renee caught a couple small rainbows on worms and I caught a rainbow on my Panther Martin spinner. Geary also caught one nice rainbow on worms. We tried the Little Walker River with no luck, and decided to venture up to Bridgeport Lake. A few bites and watched the huge carp jump all around us, again no luck. We drove north to the The Little Walker Road, just south of the Sonora Pass turnoff. Drove for many miles on Little Walker road before we came to the Obsidian Campground in the Toiyabe National Forest. The campground was closed and there was snow partially covering the road, so we turned around. As we got back to Highway 395 we decided to go to Twin Lakes. We fished the upper lake for a few hours with no hits on lures. Deanna used a bobber and a worm and got plenty of strikes but could not hook one. This trip took a total of four days, 277 miles and we enjoyed every minute, even when we got caught in rain, hailstorms and thunderstorms. The highlight of the trip was enjoying the company of friends and eating at Mountain View BBQ in Walker. We all agreed that if the fishing is not hot, the BBQ always is. On Monday when we packed up to come home Geary and Deanna stopped to fish Topaz Lake then went to Indian Creek and the west fork of Carson River. Geary told me they tried, but no luck. The season is just starting and will only get better. Her is your local report.

LAKE TAHOE: Mackinaw action is rated very good on the north end of the lake. Cal-Neva Point and Sugarpine Point are producing fish in the 1- to 6-pound class in 180 to 220 feet of water on the bottom with flashers and a minnow. Toplinning has been rated as hit and miss right now. Also, a word to all… Tahoe Lobster Company has lost many traps to poachers or thieves. The traps are set from Deadman’s Point to Sand Harbor. If you see anyone messing with the traps, call Operation Game Thief at 800-992-3030. If you have a camera, take a few pictures. For more info on fishing Lake Tahoe call Blue Ribbon Fishing Charters at 530-544-6552.

SILVER LAKE: The lake is thawed and a report of a 40-inch mackinaw came in from John Voss. They also received 6 inches of snow last weekend.

CAPLES LAKE: The resort and general store opened Friday. Boat rentals and launching are available. The lake is completely thawed out. They received 4 inches of snow last weekend. The EID boat launch has opened on the west side of the lake as of last week. Voss reported an angler came into the store purchased four boxes of night crawlers and caught some nice mackinaw trout. With the weather changing, fishing should be good this weekend. For more info call the Caples Lake resort at 209-258-8888.

BLUE LAKES: The road is only open to the third gate.

BURNSIDE LAKE: Road closed.

INDIAN CREEK RES: Fishing has been slow. The campground and boat launch is open. I was told by Geary Ness to watch were you step, as parts of the shore are very muddy.

CARSON RIVER: The CDFG has planted catchable-sized rainbows from Hope Valley to Woodfords Junction. Waters were high but fishable as of last week. With our warm temps you will need to find a deep pool and fish right on the bottom. As some people may have heard. Todd Sodero is no longer with the Carson River Resort. I feel it is a great loss to many anglers. Todd has great knowledge of the local waters. He would tell a 5-year-old right where to go and what to use, and that little angler would come back with a 3-pound trout. I do not know of Todd’s plans, if he will continue on with the Alpine County Fish Commission and stay in the area. When I get that information, it will be passed to you. As for now, I have been told by the new manager to only call the Carson River Resort from 7a.m. to 7 p.m. for information at 877-694-2229.

TOPAZ LAKE: The Topaz Marina is open for launching and boat rentals. Chuck Fields reported that fishing is good for trollers in the middle of the lake. They are using flashers and a worm 15 feet down. Boaters also had success 30 to 40 yards off shore using the same method. Shore fishing is slow. The lake as of last Wednesday was at 50 percent capacity and rising each day. For more info call the Topaz Marina at 775-266-3550.

FLY FISHING SPOT OF THE WEEK: East Walker River. Nymph fishing has been mixed between small midge patterns and large offerings. For nymphs, try leading off with a large golden or skwala stone fly pattern and follow up with a bubble back midge or San Juan worm. Pheasant tails, rainbow warriors, hares ears and zebra midges are also standard fare down there so don’t limit yourself. Dry fly action should start picking up as the weather improves. Be prepared with a few BWO’s, Adams Patterns, WD-40’s or even a fatty parachute madam X with a trialing nymph. For more information on fly fishing in the Eastern Sierras. Stop by the Anglers Edge inside the Lone Tree Gallery at 1598 Esmeralda Ave. in Minden, Nev., or call 775-781-7112.

Good luck on your next fishing adventure, If you get a photo of your catch, send it to bregan@tahoedailytribune.com . If you have any question in our local fishing world call the Naw Line at 775-267-9722.